FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE:            July 29, 2008

CONTACT:      Cynthia Terpstra
                     (561) 395-3632 x15
                 clterpstra@adventLifenet.org

Advent Lutheran Church Rebuilds Home Destroyed by Hurricane Wilma

Boca Raton, Florida –   Members of Advent Lutheran Early Response Team (ALERT) traveled to Clewiston, Florida July 19-25 to build a new home for a resident whose home was completely destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in October of 2005. 

Working in 90 degrees heat, the team sanded drywall, painted, tiled bathrooms, installed kitchen cabinets and countertops, and placed flooring throughout the new home.   Experienced craftsmen from Advent Lutheran Church worked side-by-side with novice builders from the church and staff throughout the week to meet the August 15 occupancy date. 

"While Hurricane Wilma may be a distant memory for many of us, its aftermath is still all too real for people whose homes the hurricane destroyed,” said Pastor Andy Hagen of Advent Lutheran Church.  “We recently formed an early response team to respond to natural disasters and are using this time before the next hurricane to help those still trying to recover from the last one.” 

Advent purchased a new trailer last fall (specific month?) for disaster response.  Members then purchased tools, safety equipment, and clean-up supplies for the trailer to make it fully ready to respond to disasters within the state of Florida following the initial emergency response.

Construction of the home in Clewiston began February 23, 2008.  The owner has been staying with friends since Hurricane Wilma but needs to move back in to her new home by August 15 as her friends’ home has been sold. 

For nearly 50 years Advent Lutheran Church and its ministries have touched people’s lives and fulfilled its mission to serve its community.  For more information about Advent, please visit www.AdventLifenet.org. 

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